"Food,Inc."

If you haven't seen this documentary yet, check it out. I went into it with an open mind, but came away with a resolve to shop at the Farmer's Market more often. It was a little disturbing to me. What did you think?

TAKE A HIKE...Literally.

Hiking: my favorite kind of exercise. Enjoying nature and burning calories...wonderful!

Females: Pay Attention!

This is a bit lengthy, but very important information. Hope you find it helpful:
Cancer Update from Johns-Hopkins
"Bottled water in your car is very dangerous!

On the Ellen show, Sheryl Crow said this is what caused her breast cancer. It has been identified as the most common cause of the high levels of dioxin in breast cancer tissue.

Sheryl Crow's oncologist told her:
women should not drink bottled water that has been left in a car.The heat reacts with the chemicals in the plastic of the bottle which releases dioxin into the water. Dioxin is a toxin increasingly found in breast cancer tissue.
So please be careful and do not drink bottled water that has been left in a car. Use a stainless steel canteen or a glass bottle instead of plastic!

This information is also being circulated at Walter Reed
Army Medical Center.

No plastic
containers in
microwave.

No
water
bottles in freezer

No
plastic wrap
in microwave.

A dioxin
chemical causes cancer, especially breast
cancer.

Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic
bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us.
He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers... This especially applies to foods that contain fat.He said that the
combination of fat, high heat,=2 0and plastic releases dioxin into the
food and ultimately into the cells of the body...
Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food... You get the same results, only without the dioxin.
So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be
removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but
you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the
reasons....

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran wrap, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the
high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and
drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead."

Natural (un-medicated) Childbirth

For some reason, I felt that I needed to have an un-medicated birth with my first pregnancy. After 23 hours of labor and the help of a "doula"...the mission was accomplished. I learned much about myself, my body, my child, and even God, through that experience. I am now 30 weeks into my second pregnancy and starting to contemplate what I want to do this time around. I feel that I need a little more mental preparation if I am to succeed again. I'm keeping an open mind and not feeling quite as much pressure to go natural, even though I have seen the benefits, but want to give it my best shot. That is why I have begun taking a "Hypnobirthing" course. The idea of "hypnotism" may sound weird at first, but it is nothing like what you have probably been trained to think. It is really just a very deep form of relaxation, visualization, and being able to tap into the parts of your brain that can aide you in many ways...including pain relief. I have been so impressed thus far and am anxious to see what it will do for this coming birth adventure!

What do you love?

With the crazy fun of the holidays, I haven't taken time to post. In fact, I have no "go natural" pointers lately. Do you??? What things are you doing/using that are making you a healthier and happier person?

Enter to Win!

If you are interested in winning a fabulous "baby carrier", here's your chance. Just click HERE.
Good luck!

Method

I have recently stumbled upon this fantastic brand of air freshener. It is non-aerosol, has no propellants, and is ozone/eco friendly. Every scent I've tried thus far has been fabulous! They are sold at Target. Enjoy!

Safe Cleaning Products

So, last year for Christmas I had a strange request...The "Get Clean" starter kit, by Shaklee. My husband couldn't believe I wanted cleaning products as my gift, but I knew they were going to be a little pricey and I couldn't justify buying them. I've now used up almost the entire kit, but there are a few of the products that I loved, and can now just purchase them singly, which is a lot cheaper. Everything is environmentally friendly and safe to use around the house...free of chemicals, etc. The laundry detergent and fabric softener were #1 on my list. They smelled wonderfully and I felt great knowing that I wasn't putting a lot of chemicals into my clothing. I also love the dish detergent,dish soap, and hand wash. I didn't quite feel like the other products were doing the job. Bathrooms need some strong cleaners, in my opinion, but it was worth trying them all so that I know which ones to purchase now.

Produce Spray

Some time ago, I watched an episode of "Oprah" that really caught my attention. Ever since seeing it, I haven't eaten a piece of produce without wishing I had used this spray. I am now in the process of making it, and hope it will help me to have greater health! Here is some things I found interesting from the show and the recipe for the spray:

(Sophie Uliano, author of Gorgeously Green.)

Everyone can become environmentally conscious just by taking small steps, Sophie says. "For me, green isn't extreme," she says. "There's shades of green. … You pick your shade."

One of the major myths of going green is that you have to buy all organic fruits and vegetables. It's not true—and sometimes it's just not always possible. Still, Sophie says there are a few items you want to buy organic as often as you can "because they're the most heavily sprayed."

Look for organic raisins, potatoes, green beans, cucumbers and strawberries. Can't find them organically? Make your own veggie spray with grapefruit seed extract—found at your local health food store—to help wash away any chemicals that could be on your fruit. Rinsing simply isn't enough. "All you do is spray it on the vegetables, leave it for 5 or 10 minutes and rinse them off, and you've got rid of a lot of pesticide residue," Sophie says.

If you can't buy organic produce, you need to make sure you wash it thoroughly. Use this spray to make sure your fruit and vegetables are squeaky clean.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 20 drops grapefruit seed extract
  

Combine all ingredients in a large container. Then, transfer to a spray bottle with a pump. Spray mixture on produce, and rinse thoroughly after 5 to 10 minutes.
*Grapefruit seed extract is available at your local health food store.

Recommendation...

I have recently added a couple of new house plants to my home. Plants are known to improve air quality, but I am surprised at how much more they are doing for me. It is just so nice to have a living and growing thing around (in addition to people). The feel of our living space just seems to have improved somehow.

Wonderful!

So, I've been a big fan of this author for some time now, and just recently picked up this book again. I haven't read any of her books from cover to cover yet, but I occasionally select a chapter that is pertinent to what I need to know at any given time. She is incredible! Bringing in all aspects of health into one great resource. "This book is for all who believe that it is possible to live our lives fully regardless of our present or past circumstances...It is for those who know that our healing will not be complete until we bring the sacred back into our daily lives." (Northrup) You can pick this book up at Sam's club for 10 bucks...or maybe find it cheaper online, but it is a must have on my book shelf!

Product #1

I realize this product will only appeal to a numbered crowd, but it is definitely worth sharing! If you or anyone you know is dealing with pregnancy related nausea...try this! It took about 4 days to start working for me, but has saved me from many trips to the bathroom. It is a healthy and natural way to fend off the morning sickness woes. (Contains: Vit.B6, ginger, raspberry leaf, and folic acid.) It can be found at most health foods stores.

Here goes!

Lately, I have needed an outlet...somewhere to vent and share things I feel passionately about. That is why I have decided to start this blog. It is going to be "everything natural"! Whenever I come across a product, therapy, exercise, or anything that helps to make a happier and healthier me...I'm going to share it with you! Within the last 4 years, I have become increasingly intrigued by all that we can learn from nature and from our own bodies! We all have healing to do, whether it be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, and it is my hope that you will be inspired and blessed by the things posted here. Topics will range from natural childbirth to the benefits of coconut oil...who knows what great things I'll stumble upon! There are so many ways to "Go Natural"!